By Corey Bockhaus: On the road this year with the PPA Challenger Series, Two Zeros and a Pro is starting to feel less like a crew and more like a traveling family. Sometimes we’re a little dysfunctional, like brothers who occasionally push each other's buttons, but more often, we’re locked in, looking out for one another, staying positive, giving space when it's needed. Just…being there. Advocates for each other, in the truest sense.

So, getting to see Josh Jenkins play in person, to be courtside cheering him on, it was genuinely a memory I’ll never forget. I’ll admit, I was nervous for him. Like, close to stomach-in-knots nervous. But also, proud. Because there’s something special about being close to the action when someone you care about is giving it their all.

And the family vibe? That extends way beyond just our motley crew. There’s our PPA family, Jacob, Anders, Tanner, Fitz (the head ref who somehow keeps everything running), plus the players, their families, the friends we’ve met and swapped jokes with across multiple tournaments. It’s wild how many connections you build just chasing pickleball around the country.

In Fairport, while they’re not technically family, yet, Paul Valenti and his incredible crew came close. We always hear about Southern Hospitality, but the Northern Hospitality we experienced with Paul and his band of pickleball pioneers was next level. Touring the Valenti pickleball barn? Playing under those rafters? Core memories. Burned in.

We’re only two episodes in, but we’ve already racked up so many inside jokes, belly laughs, and pickleball points, I’ve lost count.

But I’ll say this: I think the Zeros are starting to get it now. The commitment. The finesse. The gamesmanship that goes into every serve, every dink, every rally. This game demands more than people realize, and it gives so much back.